Peru

Magical peaks and historic cities

Peru at a glance

CapitalLima

LanguageSpanish

CurrencySol (PEN)

Extension1,285,216 sq km

Population31,151,643 (2015 estimate)

Peru, the ancient heart of the great Inca Empire, is a country with an amazing history and exciting present. Explore its beautiful landscape, framed by the Pacific Ocean, the Andean peaks surrounding Machu Picchu or the tropical rainforests of the Amazon. Get to know Peru’s diverse population, which includes the Quechua Indians (descendants of the Incas), mestizos (a blend of Indian and European), and people of Spanish ancestry. And learn more about Peru and its people through traditional festivals ad carnivals

Community activities and sports, especially soccer and volleyball are key to teen life in Peru. But for relaxing: Movies, dancing and hanging out at shopping malls, the town square or local cafés are top choices.

People & Community

You may live anywhere in Peru, most likely in a mid-sized or small urban area. Peruvian families are comfortable expressing their emotions, and like to spend time together during meals and at family gatherings. Parents are usually very protective of their children, especially girls.

School

You may attend a private or public school. School usually lasts from around 8 am to 3 pm, and students wear a uniform. There are seasonal extracurricular activities in preparation for special occasions and holidays, like dancing classes or theater. Your school tutor and AFS contacts will also help you organize presentations about your country.

Language

Spanish is the official language In Peru, while Quechua is officially acknowledged as a second language. Having a basic knowledge of Spanish will be helpful.

Food

Peruvian cuisine is well known and admired worldwide for its rich variety and influences from different cultures around the world. Staples of Peruvian cuisine are rice, potatoes, chicken, fish and vegetables, and food can be moderately spicy. Peru offers unique fruits, some only grow in this lush country.

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

Go abroad with AFS to discover who you really are, make new lifetime friendships and immerse yourself in a fascinating intercultural experience.

TEEN PROGRAMS (UNDER 18 YEARS OLD)

Our learning program will prepare you for an amazing AFS intercultural experience. The program begins at your home country with a pre-departure orientation and continues with orientations and other supported learning activities and facilitated conversations will help you maximize your experience, cope the challenges of navigating a new culture and community and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding, throughout your time abroad, and as you return to you home country. AFS volunteers will be there to support and guide you and your host family through your learning journey abroad.

ADULT PROGRAMS (18 YEARS OR OLDER)

The Global Competence Certificate (GCC) program will support your intercultural learning experience. This state-of-the-art program prepares you to successfully navigate new cultural environments—during your AFSNext experience and long after you finish the program. Online intercultural learning modules combined with in-person sessions help you develop practical and global skills, knowledge and attitudes that employers need and mission-driven organizations believe will help achieve their social impact goals. You will receive your certification upon completion of the training program.

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About EFIL

European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL) contributes to peace and justice in a diverse world threatened by inequity and intolerance, by promoting intercultural understanding and sensitivity among European and other countries, organisations and citizens, hereby endorsing the ends of AFS Intercultural Programs.